Senegal suspended all sports and cultural events until legislative elections at the end of the month, a day after eight people died in a football stadium disaster.

Monday, July 17, 2017

Senegal suspended all sports and cultural events until legislative elections at the end of the month, a day after eight people died in a football stadium disaster.

A judicial inquiry will be opened to investigate the tragedy and determine who was responsible, a spokesman for the prime minister said.

A wall collapsed in a Dakar stadium during the League Cup final between Stade de Mbour and US Ouakam, which was marred by clashes between rival fans.

At 2-1 during extra time, US Ouakam supporters began throwing stones at Stade de Mbour fans, causing spectators to begin vacating their seats in a rush, a journalist said. Part of a wall supporting bleachers seating fans from both sides then collapsed, while police had begun firing tear gas and panic spread in the stadium leading to a crush.